| MadSci Network: Engineering |
I'm not active in model rocketry, so I may not be of the best help, however, I would suggest that you work on your "ground station" (on-the- ground receiver) instead of your on-the-rocket transmitter.
You haven't given much in the way of specific information about your system (frequency, transmission power, etc.), but in general it's easier to be build a more sensitive receiver than a more powerful (and heavier) transmitter.
I suggest that you confer with some model rocketry hobbyists and see these sites:
* National Association of Rocketry Technical Services
* Tripoli Rocketry Association
* Read the newsgroup Rec.Models.Rockets but make sure you take a look at their FAQ
you will find a wealth of information, and people willing to help, by doing a search at Google:Groups with the terms "camera antenna" and limited to the group rec.models.rockets
For example:
* Video Transmitting Rocket thread at Deja.com
* Onboard Video Cameras thread at Deja.com
* Amateur TV in Rocketry thread at Deja.com
Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Engineering.